Plow tail wheel



Dec. 11, 1956 R. 1.. CHANDLER 2,773,439

PLOW TAIL WHEEL Filed Nov. 30, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet I ROY L. CHANDLER INVENTOR.

' Arron/vex Dec. 11, 1956 R. CHANDLER 2,773,439

PLOW TAIL WHEEL Filed NOV. 50, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent:

PLOW TAIL WHEEL Roy L. Chandler, Bell, Calif.

Application November 30, 1953, SerialNo. 395,062

11 Claims. (Cl. 97-26) The present invention relates generally to earth Working equipment; and is more particularly concerned with a unique tail wheel construction for two-way type plows.

It has been known generally heretofore to utilize a single tail wheel with a rollover or plow carrying frame in a two-way plow construction, the tail wheel being supported on a swingable arm carried by the plow frame. In such conventional arrangements, however, it has been the practice to utilize stops for limiting the pivotal movement of the swingable arm, the arrangement being such that the limit positions of the arm were above and below the horizontal plane of the rollover frame. When the tail wheel is being utilized to adjust the plowing depth, this arm is inclined upwardly above the horizontal plane of the rollover frame. Thus, the axis of rotation of the tail wheel must necessarily be positioned above the rollover frame and necessitates using an extremely large heavy and bulky wheel.

With such conventional arrangements it has been the experience that upon shifting the plow from one side to the other, this pivoted arm and attached tail wheel are free to move under gravitational forces from one stop to the other, and as a result produce an extremely high impact force. Movement of the arm and tail wheel is terminated with a banging action of such force that the associated parts are subjected to damaging forces which require extra heavy construction, and often replacement of parts over extended periods of use.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention contemplates a unique mounting for the tail wheel in which the supporting arm, during periods of use, projects below the plane of the rollover frame, thus permitting utilization of smaller tail Wheels, and permitting material reduction in weight of the equipment.

A further object is to provide a tail wheel construction which embodies a unique arrangement for controlling the swinging movement of the tail wheel, when shifting the plows from one side to the other, and for determining the plowing depth in the plowing positions of the plow carrying frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable tail wheel of simple construction; small size and light weight, and unique means for controlling the shifting and adjustment of the tail wheel to regulate the plowing depth.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed construction is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Pig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a two-way plow having a tail wheel construction embodying the features of the present invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4, are sectional views taken substantially on line 22 of' Fig. l, and operatively illustrating the successive changes in cooperative relationship of the tail See wheel supporting parts during change of plow bottoms from one side to the other;

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, are fragmentary rear elevational views showing successive operating positions of the associated parts of a modified tail wheel construction according to the present invention, during change of the plow bottoms from one side to the opposite side.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, for il- 7 lustrative purposes, the present invention is disclosed in Fig. l as being applied to a two-way plow construction which incorporates a supporting frame 10 which is normally associated with a draft mechanism (not shown). The draft mechanism also usually provides for tiltably raising the support frame so as to move the plow bottoms into the air and permit transportation of the plow from one point to another. In addition the draft mechanism ordinarily incorporates suitable means for actuating a rollover frame which in this instance is indicated as comprising a tubular structure 11 in concentric relation to the support frame 10, and which is shown as incorporating a plow supporting frame 12 or an equivalent structure suitable for supporting conventional standards such as indicated by numerals 13 and 14 respectively. These standards are arranged so as to project above the horizontal plane passing through; the frame 12, and are adapted to carry at their ends sets of oppositely disposed plow bottoms 15 and 16 which may be selectively brought into relatively reversed positions of use by rotating the frame 12 with respect to the supporting frame 10. It will be observed that in the relatively reversed plowing positions, the standard 14 will be disposed on one side or the other of the axis of the supporting frame 10 and associated tubular structure 11. As thus far described, the two-way plow may embody various constructions by which the two-way plow may be supported and arranged for shifting from one position of use to the other. The above described arrangement is merely exemplary of one form of construction. For illustrating the basic principles of the present invention, the supporting structure for the standard 14 is shown as including a plate 17 which is secured along is forward edge margin to the side of standard 14 as by suitable bolts 18-13 so as to project rearwardly therefrom. Midway of the forward edge margin of the plate 17, there is provided a projecting stud 19 which serves as a pivotal mounting for a bracket 20 which is retained against endwise removal from the stud by a retaining washer 21 and a cotter pin 22.

The bracket 20 has a side projection 23 which forms a pivotal support or one end of an arm 24 fitted at this end with spaced straps 25 and 26 which form spaced leg extensions passing respectively on opposite sides of the stud l9 and associated bracket, these legs being pivotally secured to the side projection by a suitable pivot bolt 2.7. The stud l9 and pivot bolt 27 form a universal pivot connection for the arm 24, the stud 19 and pivot bolt 127 being in right angled relation. to each other. Thus, the stud 19 permits swinging movement of the 24 through one plane, while the pivot bolt 27 enables swing ing movement of the arm 24 in a plane at right angles to the other plane of swinging movement. The outer end of the arm 24 has rotatably supported thereon a tail wheel, this wheel being supported upon a suitable spindle 29 which projects from the opposite side of the arm from that on which the plate 17 is located.

Swinging movements of the arm 24 are confined to predetermined limits by the associated action of a rail member 30 and the plate 17. As more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the rail 30 is of substantially U-shaped con struction with right angle end legs 31 and 32 which are secured at their end termination respectively to the top and bottom edges of the plate 17 as by welding or other conventional means, so as to straddle the arm 24. The legs 31 and 32 respectively connectwith adjacent angular portions 33 and 34 which are arranged to swing the arm 24 about the pivot bolt 27 in a direction towards the plate 17, when pivotal movement of the arm about stud 19 is such as to approach either leg 31 or 32. The purpose of this movement will be explained subsequently in detail.

Referring again to Fig. l, the plate 17 is provided along its rear edge margin with a series of apertures 35 which are adapted to receive securing bolts 36, Fig. 2, by which stop lugs 37 may be secured in predetermined selected positions projecting towards the swingable arm 24. The stop lugs 37 are of generally circular configuration and have a shank portion 38 which is enlarged at one end to form a head portion 39. The shank por tion and head portion are interconnected along one side of the lug by a projecting web 40, the outer edge 41 of which is inclined. Afiixed to the adjacent side of the arm 24 is a strap member 42 which is anchored at its ends to the arm 24 as by welding or by other suitable means, and intermediate its ends is spaced from the adjacent surface of the arm 24 so as to abut the shank portion of one of the stop lugs 37 and extend under the head portion 39 thereof, when the arm 24 is adjacent the plate 17 and swung upwardly during beginning of a plowing operation until the engaged lug determines the plowing depth and prevents further upward movement of the wheel 28. The inclined edges 41 of the lugs are positioned in confronting relation, as shown in Fig. 1, so that when the lugs are in spaced apart relation, the strap member will ride over the head portion and not become engaged under the confronting sides of the lugs and thus produce abnormal operation.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it is believed that the operation of the tail wheel and the movements of its component parts when changing from one plowing position to the other will be clearly evident from a consideration of the successive illustrations. As shown in Fig. 2, the strap member 42 is shown as being engaged under the head of the lowermost stop lug 37 so as to thus determine the plowing depth.

When it is desired to reverse the plows, for example, to change from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a reversed position, the support frame is raised sufficiently to clear the plows. In so doing, the arm 24 will drop to the position shown in Fig. 1, wherein it engages the end leg 32. Now as the plow supporting frame is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, it will pass through an intermediate position as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the rail 30 extends downwardly. Under such conditions, the action of gravity on the wheel 28 will cause the arm 24 to swing downwardly about the pivot bolt 27 until the arm is limited in its movement by the rail 30. In this position, it will be seen that the strap member 42 is free for swinging movement with the arm, and that the path of movement of the arm clears the stop lugs 37 so that as the plow supporting frame is brought to the reversed plowing position, as shown in Fig. 4, the weight of the wheel 28 will cause the arm 24 to move towards leg 31.

As the arm 24 swings downwardly, it will engage the angular section 33 which will act to move the arm 24 about pivot bolt 27 in a direction to carry the strap member 42 to a position adjacent the plate 17 and below the lowermost lug 37 thereon. It will thus be apparent that as the plow supporting frame is lowered to cause the plows to penetrate, the arm 24 will move upwardly until the strap member 42 abuts the lug and limits upward movement to the desired plowing depth, as shown in Fig. 4. The parts of the tail wheel and supporting mechanism will operate in a similar manner in reversing the plowing operation.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that by positioning the arm 24 outside of the adjusting lugs rather than between the adjusting lugs, it is possible to have the arm 24 inclined downwardly from hte plane of the plow supporting frame, during plowing operation, and as a result a smaller tail wheel may be utilized.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, a modified arrangement is shown which differs from the previously described construction primarily in that the rail 30 has been eliminated. Instead, a flexible member, in this case a chain 43 is utilized. One end of this chain is secured to the arm 24 by means of an eye bolt 44, while the other end is anchored by means of an eye bolt 45 to a projecting bracket 46 secured to the plate 17 and projecting at right angles thereto.

The utilization of a chain provides a simple economical arrangement for accomplishing the same results as previously described. This chain permits the arm 24 during swinging movement of the plow supporting frame from one plowing position to the other to follow a path which will be free of the stop lugs 37, as shown in Fig. 7.

At the plowing positions of the plow supporting frame, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the chain 43 and the gravitational forces due to the weight of the wheel 28 and its being offset to one side of the arm 24 will cause the arm to move into a position which will bring the strap member 42 into desired position under the adjacent lug 37.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, hence, I do not wish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a two-way plow having a plow carrying frame supported for rotation from side to side on a substantially horizontal axis, a ground contacting wheel structure comprising: an arm; a wheel rotatably carried by said arm; pivot means connecting said arm to one side of said frame so as to pivot about a first axis and a second axis, the first axis being disposed transversely with respect to said horizontal axis, and the second axis being at right angles to said first axis; adjustable vertically spaced stops carried by said one side of said frame so arranged that in each operative position of the frame the then lowermost stop engages the arm to limit its upward swinging about the first axis to a path generally below the horizontal axis; and means carried by said frame to limit combined outward and downward swinging movement of said arm about said first and second axis under the force of gravity to a position beyond the plane of said spaced stops, and to cause the arm to swing back into the plane of and below the spaced stops as the frame approaches the end of its rotational movement in either direction.

2. In a two-way plow having a plow carrying frame supported for rotation from side to side on a substantially horizontal axis, a ground contacting wheel structure comprising: an arm; a wheel rotatably carried by said arm; pivot means connecting said arm to one side of said frame for universal swinging movements; adjustable vertically spaced stops carried by said one side of said frame so arranged that in each operative position of the frame the then lowermost stop engages the arm to limit its upward swinging through a path generally below the horizontal axis; and means carried by said frame to limit combined outward and downward swinging movement of said arm under the force of gravity to a position beyond the plane of said spaced stops, and

r to cause the arm to swing back into the plane of and of said frame for universal movements; adjustable vertically spaced stops carried by said one side of said frame so arranged that in each operative position of the frame the then lowermost stop engages the arm to limit its upward swinging to a path generally below the horizontal axis; and a flexible member connected between said frame and said arm to limit combined outward and downward swinging movement of said arm under the force of gravity to a position beyond the plane of said spaced stops, and to cause the arm to swing back into the plane of and below the spaced stops as the frame approaches the end of its rotational movement in either direction.

4. in a two-way plow having a plow carrying frame supported for rotation from side to side on a substantially horizontal axis, a ground contacting wheel structure comprising: an arm; a Wheel rotatably carried by said arm; pivot means connecting said arm to one side of said frame for universal swinging movements; adjustable vertically spaced stops carried by said one side of said frame so arranged that in each operative position of the frame the then lowermost stop engages the arm to limit its upward swinging to a path generally below the horizontal axis; and a chain member connected between said frame and said arm to limit combined outward and downward swinging movement of said arm under the force of gravity to a position beyond the plane of said spaced stops, and to cause the arm to swing back into the plane of and below the spaced stops as the frame approaches the end of its rotational movement in either direction.

5. In a two-way plow having a plow carrying frame supported for rotation from side to side on a substantially horizontal axis, a ground contacting wheel structure comprising: a wheel; a support for said Wheel; means connecting said support to one side of said frame so as to pivot about a first axis disposed transversely with respect to said horizontal axis; an element connected to said support so as to pivot with said support on said first axis, and pivot on a second axis at right angles to said first axis; adjustable vertically spaced stops carried by said one side of said frame so arranged that in each operative position of the frame the then lowermost stop engages said element to limit its upward swinging movement and the upper swinging movement of said wheel to a path generally below the horizontal axis; and means carried by said frame to limit combined outward and downward swinging movement of said element about said first and second axis under the force of gravity to a position beyond the plane of said spaced stops, and to cause the element to swing back into the plane of and below the spaced stops as the frame approaches the end of its rotational movement in either direction.

6. In a two-way plow having a plow carrying frame supported for rotation from side to side on a substantially horizontal axis, a ground contacting wheel structure comprising: a wheel; a support for said wheel; pivot means connecting said support to one side of said frame for universal swinging movements; an element connected to said support so as to pivot therewith; adjustable vertically spaced stops carried by said one side of said frame so arranged that in each operative position of the frame the then lowermost stop engages said element to limit its upward swinging movement and the upper swinging movement of said wheel to a path generally below the horizontal axis; and means carried by said frame to limit combined outward and downward swinging movement of said element under the force of gravity to a position beyond the plane of said spaced stops, and to cause the element to swing back into the plane of and below the spaced stops as the frame approaches the end of its rotational movement in either direction.

7. In a two-way plow having a plow carrying frame supported for rotation from side to side on a substantially horizontal axis, a ground contacting wheel structure comprising: an arm; a wheel rotatably carried by said arm; pivot means connecting said arm to one side of said frame for pivotal swinging movements about a first axis transverse to said horizontal axis; adjustable vertically spaced stops carried by said one side of said frame; stop engaging means movable with said arm and pivotally supported for swinging movements about an axis at an angle to said first axis; and means limiting said pivotal movements so that the stop engaging means will move under the force of gravity to a position out of a path of engagement with said spaced stops during movemerit of the frame from one of said sides to the other, and into a path of engagement below the lowermost of said stops as the frame approaches the end of its rotational movement in either direction.

8. In a two-Way plow having a plow carrying frame supported for rotation from side to side on a substantially horizontal axis, a ground contacting wheel structure comprising: an arm; a wheel rotatably carried by said arm; pivot means connecting said arm to one side of said frame for pivotal swinging movements about a first axis transverse to said horizontal axis; adjustable vertically spaced first members carried by said one side of said frame; a second member movable with said arm; means supporting said first members and said second member for limited relative movements under the force of gravity to positions out of a path of engagement during movement of the frame from one of said sides to the other, and into a path of engagement of said second member and the lowermost of said first members as the frame approaches the end of its rotational movement in either direction.

9. A claim according to claim 2, wherein said means includes a rail member.

10. A claim according to claim 2, wherein said means includes a rail member having spaced angularly extending portions for guiding said arm movement in a direction towards the plane of said stops.

11. A claim according to claim 2, wherein said means includes a rail member having an intermediate portion for guiding the movement of said arm in said position beyond the plane of said stops, and an angularly extending portion adjacent each end of the intermediate portion for guiding said arm in its movement to said position in the plane of said stops.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 204,484 Daniel June 4, 1878 2,239,596 Doane Apr. 22, 1941 2,609,740 Dexheimer et al. Sept. 9, 1952 2,637,256 Lindeman May 5, 1953 2,659,284 Pursche Nov. 17, 1953 2,666,376 Pursche Ian. 19, 1954 

